I don’t know if you have noticed this… spring is in the air. Beautiful, flower-scented, honest-to-goodness SPRING. And even though the weather is torn between sunny/cloudy/rainy/stormy, cycling between all four options sometimes in a single day, I am still elated by the sights and sounds of spring. Apparently her infectious spirit has also inspired Häagen-Dazs because they have just launched two delicately delicious new flavours: Lychee Raspberry Rose and Apricot Lavender. The Häagen-Dazs Little Gardens Limited Edition range strikes a perfect balance between fruity and floral but you have to shake a leg if you want to try these new flavours – the range is available exclusively at Liberty London from the 11th of April for a limited period only.
I think my favourite way to eat ice cream is in a cone – ice cream in a bowl seems lacking in poetry somehow. But even better than ice cream in a cone, is ice cream served over slightly warm pie so that it’s creamy sweetness blends with the buttery crust and fruit filling. The minute I tasted the new Apricot Lavender Häagen-Dazs flavour I knew it was time for pie. Or, actually, time for a tart. Fresh apricots were sadly unavailable but using tinned halved apricots worked a treat – this was a truly lovely tart! I imagine it would taste great with other fruit also and if you happen to have any Lavender Sugar
*, a light sprinkling on top would round off the taste very nicely.
The tart recipe was adapted from Martha Stewart’s New Pies and Tarts
* book which tends to be my bible where pie making is concerned – I can’t recommend it highly enough! Another thing to invest in if you like tarts is a non-stick fluted tart tin with loose base
*. I have tried making tarts in springform cake tins in the past but this foolish enterprise always ends in tears.
Check out more Haagen Dazs recipes from around the blogosphere…
Chocolate cookie cups with coffee ice cream from Maison Cupcake.
Pistachio mini cake from Your Sunny Side Up.
French toast with ice cream from Botanical Baker.
Apricot, Almond and Ricotta Frangipane Tart with Apricot Lavender Ice cream
Ingredients
- For the crust
- 150 g | 5.3oz all purpose flour
- 115 g | 4oz | 1 stick unsalted butter cubed, at room temperature
- 70 g | 2.5oz ground almonds
- 3 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp almond extract
- 2 tbsp butter unsalted butter melted to grease the tart case
- <br>
- For the filling
- 400 g | 14oz tin apricot halves in juice
- 3 large eggs
- 100 g | 3.5oz caster sugar
- 60 g | 2oz ground almonds
- 50 g | 6 tbsp plain flour
- 4 tbsp ricotta cheese
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter melted
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp almond extract
- 3 tbsp flaked almonds to sprinkle on top
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar to sprinkle on top
Instructions
- Use a pastry brush to grease a 23cm | 9 inch non-stick fluted tart tin with loose base.
- Pulse the flour, ground almonds, sugar and salt in a food processor until combined. Add the butter and almond extract and pulse again until combined. Pinch some of the crust between your fingers - if it is too crumply you might want to add a little melted butter (you should have some leftover from greasing the tin) until it sticks together when pressed.
- Press the crust evenly into the bottom and up the sides of your tin and put in the fridge for 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 180C (350F).
- Bake the crust for 20-25 minutes until golden. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.
- Put all the dry ingredients for the filling in a large bowl and then whisk in the eggs, melted butter, almond extract and finally the ricotta until smooth and well combined.
- Pour the filling into the crust. Drain the apricots of their juice (keep to use in cocktails or smoothies) and pat dry with some kitchen towel.
- Arrange the halves, cut side up, over the filling and sprinkle with the flaked almonds and sugar. Bake for about an hour, or until the filling is puffed and golden. Transfer to a wire rack to cool before carefully removing from the tin.
- Serve slightly warm with a generous scoop of Apricot Lavender Ice cream and some extra flaked almonds on top.
Kate Glutenfreealchemist says
Both ice creams sound amazing and I for one would have loved to try them…… But I am unimpressed that they are exclusive to a posh London store. Really? How ridiculous is that…… Sack the marketing department!!!
The tart looks amazing though!
Urvashi says
Oh how luscious this looks! I lovely the thick pastry on your tart too. Very often there is a thin crust which really doesn't do at all
Kerry Edwards says
This looks absolutely delicious! What a shame you can only get the ice cream in London though, would have loved to try it!
Helen @ Fuss Free Flavours says
What a lovely tart and a perfect partner for the apricot and lavender ice cream! I think that apricots are probably my favourite fruit,
Helen - family-friends-food says
That tart looks delicious! Never underestimate a tinned apricot!
Sarah Trivuncic says
That looks so summery and making me think of holidays in Provence! What a fabulous flavour combination.
Rebecca says
Wow what wonderful flavour combos for icecream and the tart looks amazing.
Hannah Hossack-Lodge says
What a fabulous looking tart! I adore frangipane and the ricotta is a lovely addition 🙂 The ice cream sounds delicious as well, a shame it's only available in Liberty! x
Angela Field says
This tart looks delicious and the flavours of the haagen dazs ice cream looks amazing. Such a shame you can only get it in Liberty.
mookies • Mina Limnioudi says
What a wonderful recipe Lusy! Love the apricots and the ricotta cheese it's a great and inspiring addition to this Frangipane Tart. The ice cream on top simply completes this delicious delicacy.
Corina says
What an unusual sounding ice cream – I bet it was perfect with this tart! I love frangipane so I'd definitely polish them off together!
Sammie says
Oh Lucy I am so with you on ice cream on warm tarts/pies. This almond frangipane tart looks amazing and is such a wonderful bake. I must make this so I can eat it. So glad you're not a tinned fruit snob. Sammie x